Timeline

This timeline attempts to lay out the history of the Westlands and the world based on dates and information given in the novels and supporting material.

Dates are given in the three calendar systems given in the books, namely the Toman, Gazaran and Farede calendars. For events in the Age of Legends, dates are given prior to the Breaking, since no information has been retained about dating systems used at that time.

Contents

The universe and the Wheel of Time are brought into existence by the Creator. At the moment of creation, the Creator's antithesis, the Dark One, is also brought into existence. The Creator imprisons the Dark One in a prison outside the pattern.

The First Age

Little is known of this age, save that humanity built the portal stones during this time[verify] and allegedly traveled to the moon and into space.

Under the guidance of the Aes Sedai, both men and women who can channel the One Power, humanity achieves a golden age of peace, prosperity and enlightenment, along with their allies, the Ogier, and sentient constructs such as the Nym. High technology is achieved and used to entertain and educate the masses. The world is administered from the city of Paaran Disen.

Aes Sedai researchers at the Collam Daan in the city of V'saine detect an apparently undivided source of the One Power. Within the floating, spherical research building called the Sharom they attempted to tap into this power however instead they inadvertently bore a hole into the Dark One's prison, allowing its influence to touch the world.

c. 110-10 years before the Breaking

The period known as the Collapse takes place. Society begins a slow descent into barbarism and fear. The existence of the Dark One and the location of the earthly end of its prison at the island of Shayol Ghul become known, and many swear allegiance to its service, becoming the first Friends of the Dark. Several prominent Aes Sedai turn to the Shadow, becoming the first of the Forsaken. Aginor begins breeding the Shadowspawn. An attempt is made to free the Dark One, which is averted by the Aes Sedai led by Lews Therin. The War of the Shadow begins.

c. 10-7 years before the Breaking

The War of the Shadow is fought. Much of the world is devastated, most high technology is lost and the world's industrial capacity is reduced to almost nothing. Millions die. The Shadow quickly gains the upper hand, but is eventually stalemated by Lews Therin's forces.

c. 7-3 years before the Breaking

Lews Therin is given the nickname "Dragon" for his success. Many successes are achieved during this phase of the war for the Light, but they are unable to achieve a decisive, final victory.

c. 3-0 years before the Breaking

The Shadow begins a new advance which threatens to overwhelm the last forces of the Light. Two plans are proposed to avoid this: one to use a powerful pair of sa'angreal known as the Choedan Kal to seal off Shayol Ghul from the rest of the world, and other to launch a daring assault on Shayol Ghul and to repair the Bore with seven ter'angreal seals. The Hall of the Servants becomes divided along gender lines, with the women favoring the former and the men the latter plan. When the Choedan Kal's ter'angreal control keys are captured by the Shadow, Lews Therin is left with no choice but to carry out this latter plan. He and the Hundred CompanionsTravel to Shayol Ghul and successfully reseal the Dark One's prison, cutting off the Dark One's touch on the world and imprisoning the thirteen most senior Forsaken with him. However, at the moment of victory the Dark One taints saidin, driving the Hundred Companions insane instantly.

The Breaking of the World

The Hundred Companions begin to devastate the world with the One Power. Other men succumb to the taint and join the insanity. Lews Therin Telamon is given a moment of sanity by Ishamael and commits suicide, forming the mountain of Dragonmount[2] in the process. A female Aes Sedai named Deindre has a Foretelling that the Dragon will be Reborn to fight the Dark One again in the future. The Prophecies of the Dragon begin to take shape. The Da'shain Aiel begin their exile. The Ogier are separated from their stedding, beginning the Long Exile.

The Breaking lasts between 239 and 344 years. During this time the human race and the Ogier are brought to the edge of extinction. The known continents shatter and disappear beneath the waves. New landmasses arise. The world is remade and most of the civilization of the Age of Legends is lost. The Breaking ends when the last male channeler is finally executed or gentled by a female.

Before the Breaking is fully over, a group of Aes Sedai store Callandor within a fortress known as the Stone of Tear, which they create with the One Power. The Ogier rediscover the stedding, but are unable to leave for long periods without succumbing to the Longing.

A group of people who rode out the Breaking in ships at sea settle on islands, becoming the Sea Folk. As the Da'shain gradually give up the Way of the Leaf in favor of the spear, eventually becoming the modern Aiel clans, one group splinters off to become the Tuatha'an or Tinkers. Aided by the ancestors of the Cairhienin people, the Aiel cross the Spine of the World and settle the Aiel Waste, with the Jenn Aiel, (who still follow the Way) building the city of Rhuidean with the aid of several ancient Aes Sedai. The land of Shara is also unified soon after the Breaking, while the landmass of Seanchan becomes a battleground between Shadowspawn and the survivors of the Breaking. The channelers of Seanchan bring exotic, dangerous animals into our world via the portal stones, and the Shadowspawn are wiped out in the Seanchan continent. In what become known as the Westlands, ten powerful kingdoms are founded.

47 AB

A conference of at least a dozen major groups of female channelers all claiming to be Aes Sedai is held. At this meeting it is decided that they will unify to refound the glories of the Aes Sedai of the Age of Legends, and they will also need a new base of operations. The island of Tar Valon, in the shadow of Dragonmount, is chosen for this purpose.

c. 50-100 AB

The main branch of the Aes Sedai eliminates several competing branches. In 77 AB a major victory is scored by the Tar Valon Aes Sedai when Lideine Rajal is stilled and Mailaine Harvole is forced to surrender. These two women appear to have been the leaders of the strongest rival factions.

98 AB

Elisane Tishar, leader of the main branch of post-Breaking Aes Sedai, is elected the first Amyrlin Seat of the Aes Sedai. Construction of the city of Tar Valon begins.

202 AB

Construction of Tar Valon is completed. By this time the Toman Calendar has become adopted across the continent.

Birth of Caraighan Maconar, who later becomes the archetypical Green sister of the Aes Sedai.

c. 300 AB

Lord Mangore Kiramin, Sword-bard of Aramaelle and Warder of Caraighan Maconar, undertakes a translation of the Prophecies of the Dragon.

c. 325 AB

Sereine dar Shamelle Motara, Counsel-Sister to the High Queen Comaelle of Jaramide, undertakes a translation of the Prophecies of the Dragon, as revealed in Commentaries on the Karaethon Cycle.

335 AB

A man named Raolin Darksbane claims to be the Dragon Reborn. He is captured and gentled by the Aes Sedai, and becomes known as the first false Dragon. His followers mount an attack on Tar Valon to rescue him but are defeated.

373 AB

Death of Caraighan Maconar.

c. 400 AB

N'Delia Basolaine, First Maid and Swordfast to Raidhen of Hol Cuchone, undertakes a translation of the Prophecies of the Dragon.

742 AB

Jurith Dorine, Right-Hand to the Queen of Almoren, undertakes a translation of the Karaethon Cycle, as revealed in Commentaries on the Prophecies of the Dragon.

1000 AB

A vast horde of Trollocs invades the Westlands, marking the beginning of the Trolloc Wars. The city of Barsine in Jaramide is the first major city to fall.

c. 1000-1200 AB

The wars continue to rage. During this time the nation of Aridhol falls into darkness and despair due to the machinations of a man named Mordeth. The kingdom disintegrates and the capital city becomes a dark, haunted place known as Shadar Logoth, which even the Shadowspawn avoid.

Manetheren is destroyed by the Shadow. However, the people of Manetheren inflict vast and terrible casualties on the attacking army, and despite its victory it is largely destroyed by a suicidal blast of the One Power unleashed by Queen Eldrene at the moment of defeat. Some time after this event the then-Amyrlin Seat, Tetsuan, is deposed and stilled for impeding the aid sent to Manetheren out of jealousy of Eldrene.

The Battle of Maighande is fought. The most decisive battle of the Trolloc Wars, the back of the Shadowspawn armies is broken, and the clean-up of the remaining, rogue bands can begin. Rashima Kerenmosa dies during the battle, taking nine Dreadlords with her.

c. 1308 AB

Yurian Stonebow is captured and gentled.

c. 1350 AB

The Trolloc Wars end with the destruction of the final Trolloc army south of the Mountains of Dhoom.

A new false Dragon named Davian causes some problems before he is captured and gentled by the Aes Sedai.

FY 450

Queen Sulmara of Masenashar is removed from her throne by the Aes Sedai, who drag her to Tar Valon to muck out the White Tower's stables, as a demonstration that no-one is beyond the reach of the Aes Sedai. It is said that Sulmara was an Aes Sedai who had forsaken her responsibilities to return home and take the throne of her kingdom without the permission of the Amyrlin Seat, but this is unconfirmed.

Amalasan conquers over a third of the continent and lays siege to the Stone of Tear. Tanreall leads several Shandallian armies against him and becomes known as the 'Hawkwing' for the speed with which he can move his troops. In the spring of FY 943 Hawkwing defeats Amalasan at the Battle of the Jolvaine Pass and Amalasan is captured by several Aes Sedai and taken to Tar Valon for punishment. Two of Amalasan's generals attack Tar Valon with over 100,000 men in an effort to rescue him, but are defeated by Hawkwing. Hawkwing and Amyrlin Bonwhin part on bad terms.

FY 943-963 - The Consolidation

At the alleged urging of Bonwhin, several kingdoms attack Shandalle and are repulsed. Hawkwing seizes the territories of the attacking nations and in mostly defensive actions against hostile acts, he ends up in control of a large part of the continent. The Consolidation is undertaken, ending in FY 963 with the surrender of Aldeshar by King Joal Ramedar after a bitter four-year war (in which Hawkwing's son Modair is killed). Hawkwing is declared the High King of the Westlands, which are now unified as a single Empire. In FY 961 Hawkwing's wife and children are killed by poison, plunging him into the Black Years of his rule. Believing Ramedar responsible, he has him executed, to the shock of many.

FY 964

Hawkwing undertakes an invasion of the Aiel Waste. Although initially successful, the harsh climate and the failure of the Aiel to meet him in open battle soon compel him to retire. Upon his return he meets a young woman named Tamika, whom he marries within a year, ending the Black Years.

FY 964-975

The peaceful years of Hawkwing's rule. The lands of the Empire are made safe for all to travel, great public works are undertaken, new cities and fortresses are founded. Hawkwing undertakes a rapprochement with the Aes Sedai, and accepts Aes Sedai governors, bureaucrats and advisers into all parts of the Empire's bureaucracy. In FY 973 a man named Jalwin Moerad appears at Hawkwing's court and soon becomes his most trusted counselor. In FY 974, acting on Moerad's advice, Hawkwing dismisses all Aes Sedai from all positions within the Empire. In FY 975 his armies overrun the territory of Tar Valon and lay siege to the city. No reason is known for precisely why Hawkwing turns against the Aes Sedai so completely.

FY 986

A large force of Shadowspawn invades the Empire. Hawkwing responds and raises a huge army to confront the threat.

FY 987

Hawkwing defeats the Shadowspawn at the Battle of Talidar. He appears reinvigorated by the conflict and begins planning new campaigns.

FY 989

Two immense fleets begin construction at the Empire's western and southern ports, each consisting of over 2,000 vessels and 300,000 soldiers and settlers.

FY 992

The western fleet, commanded by Hawkwing's son Luthair Paendrag Mondwin, sails across the Aryth Ocean and begins the invasion of the Seanchan continent. The invasion force quickly seizes the city of Imfaral, but resistance from native forces (dubbed the Armies of Night for their use of Shadowspawn-like creatures in battle) makes victory doubtful until a woman named Deain gives Luthair a weapon called an a'dam, which can seize control of female channelers. Luthair's advance resumes.

At this time, Bonwhin Meraighdin is deposed by the Hall of the Tower after evidence is presented showing she manipulated Hawkwing for her own ends and earned his enmity, endangering the Aes Sedai. Deane Aryman succeeds her, but her attempts to convince Hawkwing to lift the siege fail.

FY 993

The White Tower's library suffers some damage as a result of apparent arson. Artur Hawkwing sends a large fleet with one of his daughters to invade Shara. They did not succeed.

FY 993-994

The eastern fleet, commanded by a daughter of Hawkwing, lands in Shara and achieves some initial successes against the surprised natives, but the invasion force is eventually overcome. The Sea Folk record that the invasion fleet is left burning at anchor. The fate of the army is unknown.

FY 994

Hawkwing's only remaining daughter and heir, Laiwynde, dies under unknown circumstances and her son Tyrn sur Paendrag Mashera disappears. Artur Hawkwing falls ill and dies with no heir.

Attempts by several of Hawkwing's generals to secure the Empire fail and it disintegrates. The cities of Tear and Cairhien declare independence, while General Souran Maravaile lifts the Siege of Tar Valon to ally his forces with those of Ishara Casalain, who declares herself Queen of Andor. The five Borderland provinces break away and declare an alliance between their nations so they can continue to hold back the Shadow in the north. The War of the Hundred Years begins.

By this year Andor has expanded to the River Cary in the west and the River Erinin in the east, and holds these borders for some time.

c. FY 1000

Ishara, Queen of Andor, bears children that will be the eventual ancestors of the ruling families of Andor.

FY 1004

The city of Mayene, claimed by the expanding country of Tear, declares independence. Tyrn sur Paendrag Mashera is proclaimed First Lord of Mayene, although his claim to be a grandson of Hawkwing is scoffed at by many.

FY 1006

The city of Tanchico is seized by several nobles who proclaim the founding of the kingdom of Tarabon and restore the government system used in Balasun, with a King (or Queen) and Panarch balanced by an Assembly of nobles, merchants and guild representatives.

FY 1017

Souran Maravaile, the prince-consort of Andor and the commander of its armies, is killed by assassins.

c. FY 1020

Queen Ishara Casalain of Andor dies. Her sons have died in battle, so her daughter Alesinde inherits the crown, starting the tradition that only women can sit the Lion Throne.

FY 1021

Lothair Mantelar founds the Children of the Light, a group dedicated to exposing Darkfriends and reporting them to the authorities. Lothair outlines his philosophy in a book called The Way of the Light, which becomes popular in these dark times.

Deane Aryman dies in a fall from her horse while on the verge of convincing several of the most powerful rulers to agree to a ceasefire. Her successor, Selame Necoin of the Green Ajah, fails to capitalize on her success and the war continues.

Esmara Getare, a noblewoman of note, assembles an army which conquers most of modern Illian and the Plains of Maredo before invading Andor. Her attempt to seize Andor fails and she spends the last twelve years of her life as a 'guest' of Queen Telaisien. Esmara's capture allows Nicoli Merseneos den Ballin to rise to power in Illian, which he then founds in its current form.

The Queen of Andor dies and the succession is disputed, with all three claimants to the throne garnering roughly equal support between the Great Houses. This conflict, either the First or Second Succession War, lasted seven years and caused substantial loss of life and internal disruption within Andor before a new claimant was crowned (the three original ones having all died in the war). Around this time, the Taraboner tradition of male King and female Panarch has been firmly established.

509 NE

The Aiel unexpectedly make peace with the kingdom of Cairhien, giving the people of Cairhien a sapling of Avendesora and permitting them free access across the Waste to the Sharan trade towns. Cairhien grows rich on the resulting trade.

The nation of Almoth collapses at this time, and its territory becomes contested between Tarabon and Arad Doman. Also around this time the Third War of Garen's Wall is fought in the territory of Ghealdan. The war is the last in a series of bungles and mishaps caused by major strife between the then-Amyrlin Seat Shein Chunla and her Hall of the Tower. This results in a mutiny in the White Tower and the installation of new Sitters and a new Amyrlin. Shein Chunla is removed from office in 601 and sent into exile.

A conspiracy to reseat Shein Chunla as Amyrlin is uncovered. As a result, the sisters guarding her during her exile are ordered to smother her in her sleep. This information is part of the secret histories of the White Tower, guarded in the Thirteenth Depository.

Aleis Romlin is raised to the Amyrlin Seat from the Green Ajah. Cadsuane Melaidhrin disappears from the White Tower when she learns that the Hall of the Tower intended to raise her to the Amyrlin Seat.

900 NE

Cadsuane Melaidhrin returns to the White Tower after ten years in self-imposed exile to escape from being raised to the Amyrlin Seat.

The Children of the Light take up residence in Amadicia. Within a matter of years they have assumed effective control of the nation, building the Fortress of the Light in Amador and removing the King's palace to outside the city walls.

The kingdom of Malkier falls to both external invasion and internal treachery, and is soon overrun by the Blight. The infant son of the last king, al'Lan Mandragoran, is taken to safety in Shienar. The most famous survivor of the fall of Malkier, Jain Farstrider, begins his explorations of the world at this time.

The Children of the Light and the Amadician army invade Altara under the command of Lord Captain Pedron Niall, vowing to bring it into the Light. They are opposed by the Altaran armies backed up by forces from Murandy and Illian, under King Mattin Stepaneos den Balgar. Despite achieving local successes and victories, most notably at the Battle of Soremaine, the Children conclude that the territory is too vast for their manpower to be able to hold it, and abandon the campaign. Tam al'Thor, a young man from the Two Rivers district of Andor, fights for Illian during this conflict.

Illian and Tear clash in the first of three border wars which rage intermittently for the next six years. During this time Tam al'Thor becomes Second Captain of the Illianer Companions. Diryk, a son of Ethenielle Noremaga, is born.

Tigraine gives birth to her and Taringail's son, Galad Damodred, at the start of the year. Devastated by her brother's apparent death and her ill-treatment at the hands of her husband, she asks for advice from Gitara Moroso. Gitara tells her she must journey into the Aiel Waste and learn to become a 'Maiden', or the world would be destroyed. Tigraine disappears from Andor and crosses the Spine of the World. Found by several Aiel Maidens of the Spear, she realizes it is her destiny to become one of them, and they allow it.

Tigraine's disappearance plunges Andor into chaos. Her mother dies from grief at the loss of both her children, and the Third Succession War takes place. This conflict ends with Morgase Trakand taking the throne. She pardons her enemies and marries Taringail to appease Cairhien.

During this time period, it becomes clear to Laman that Taringail will not be able to rule Morgase as easily as he did Tigraine. The apparent failure of Laman's plot starts whispering and conspiracies against him within Cairhien. In an attempt to demonstrate his power, Laman orders the cutting down of Avendoraldera so the most spectacular throne in history could be wrought from it.

Also during this time period, Tigraine, now called 'Shaiel', meets and falls in love with Janduin, clan chief of the Taardad Aiel. She falls pregnant with his child in 978 NE.

Learning of the Laman's callous disregard of the Aiel's peace offering, Janduin convinces four clans of the Aiel to unleash vengeance upon the 'treekillers'. More than 90,000 Aiel warriors invade Cairhien, unleashing great devastation and destruction upon the kingdom. In the First Battle of Cairhien the city is breached and the Topless Towers are set alight. Laman escapes with the remnants of his army and conducts a fighting retreat into Tear. The Tairens supply him with troops in return for him leading the Aiel away from their territory. Andor also joins the fight. Laman retreats to Tar Valon, where more than 167,500 troops from ten kingdoms are assembled as the so-called Grand Alliance. The Battle of the Shining Walls is fought and Laman is cornered and killed. Their job done, the Aiel withdraw back to the Waste.

During the battle, a detachment of the Illianer Companions engages a group of Aiel Maidens of the Spear on the slopes of Dragonmount itself. Second Captain al'Thor finds a newly-born baby amongst the dead and takes him as his own, naming him Rand. After the battle, Tam musters out and returns to his homeland of the Two Rivers to become a farmer.

Moiraine and Siuan are both raised to full Aes Sedai, both choosing the Blue Ajah. Moiraine travels to Kandor, chasing a lead which might be that of the Dragon Reborn, and there meets al'Lan Mandragoran. After discovering evidence that the Black Ajah still exists and is also on the Dragon Reborn's trail, Moiraine asks Lan to become her Warder and join the search. He agrees. Tamra Ospenya is killed by Black Ajah agents.

The Forsaken Ishamael escapes from Shayol Ghul. Summoning the Black Ajah, he is unimpressed with their progress and executes their leader, Jarna Malari, for rousing suspicions among the other sisters which nearly exposed them. He makes Alviarin Freidhen the new leader of the Black Ajah.

984 NE

Taringail Damodred is assassinated by Thom Merrilin, court bard at the Royal Palace of Caemlyn and Queen Morgase's lover. Marith Jaen is raised to the Amyrlin Seat from the Blue Ajah.

985 NE

Owyn Merrilin, Thom's nephew, is discovered to be able to channel the One Power. Rather than being taken for trial and gentling in Tar Valon as is customary, he is gentled on the spot by Red Ajah sisters working under secret orders from the leaders of the Red Ajah. He is left to the mercies of the townsfolk, who kill him. Thom clashes with Elaida publicly over this before leaving the court in disgust to become a gleeman. This outcry sparks an investigation by the Hall of the Sitters, which uncovers the Red Ajah's crime, leading to the Red Sitters being exiled from the White Tower. This event becomes known in the Tower as the Vileness.

988 NE

The death of three Amyrlins in a short space of time is not seen as good for Aes Sedai morale, so the Hall of the Sitters elects the young Siuan Sanche to the Amyrlin Seat.

Three false Dragons arise, but they cannot channel. They cause problems in Kandor, Arad Doman and Illian, but are defeated and killed. Only the last, Gorin Rogad, causes significant damage.

In 996 NE a peddler and Darkfriend named Padan Fain is taken to Shayol Ghul and 'remade' as a 'hound' of the Dark One, to sniff out the Dragon Reborn. His regular visit to the Two Rivers the following year suggests the Dragon Reborn may be in the vicinity.

In 997 NE Logain Ablar raised the standard of the Dragon Reborn in Ghealdan. He could channel, and defeated several armies sent against him in Altara and Murandy. He named his army the People of the Dragon and marched on Tear.